Most Popular

"Easton is important to us. Lukas Webb had to go back to give us that extra defender through the course of the day. It probably wasn't our first option but they got it done," Beveridge said.

"We weren't able to stop some of those overlap plays and they became shots close to goal that are difficult to miss. We had some breakdowns but we'd like to defend a bit better."

Defense might be an issue over the final three rounds when the Bulldogs face Greater Western Sydney, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. Lynchpin Dale Morris is also out until the finals, although Matthew Boyd is likely return on Friday night.

Beveridge admitted Bob Murphy was also no certainty to play at Etihad Stadium after being a late replacement for Jason Johannisen, who withdrew with hamstring tightness in the warm-up.

Trailing by 28 points at the first break, Brisbane rallied and, in a big Lewis Taylor third quarter, he created a Tom Rockliff goal and scored from 50 metres to put his side in front.

Daniel Rich's big boot from outside 50 extended the lead and fourth-quarter specialist Marcus Bontempelli again came to the fore despite earlier forgettable moments.

He marked inside 50 from the opening clearance only to miss the target altogether and then later hit the post twice.

Soon after the fourth-quarter miss, he scored twice and created Jack Redpath's third. Liam Picken also bagged a treble as the Bulldogs pulled away in the closing moments.